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Laconia Zoning Board approves sign variance for home-based auto-donation business at 144 Valley Street
Summary
At its February meeting the Laconia Zoning Board of Adjustment voted 3-0 to approve a variance allowing a small wall sign for a home-based auto-donation business at 144 Valley Street; the board noted the business is administrative only and will not generate foot traffic.
At its February meeting, the Laconia Zoning Board of Adjustment voted 3-0 to approve a variance allowing a small wall sign for a home-based auto-donation business at 144 Valley Street.
The variance (application ZB2025-031) permits a wall sign in a residential zone that would otherwise conflict with the town sign ordinance. Board Chairman Jane La Roche and members Michael Delavecchia and Marcia Hayward voted in favor; the board recorded the tally as 3-0.
Applicant Charles Nesbitt told the board his business, operating under the DBA Charity Donations Auto Wholesale (CDAW), is administrative only and does not bring vehicles or customers to the property. “It’s a home office,” Nesbitt said, adding the state requires 10-inch lettering visible from the road. He described the proposed sign as four letters on the building in a 12-by-24 format and said he had made the design “as small as possible.”
Nesbitt said the business facilitates vehicle donations for nonprofits, handling paperwork and arranging towing; he said he works alone and that the operation began about three months ago. Homeowner Chris Nesbitt, who leases the property to the applicant, told the board he reviewed the application and offered his support: “He has my blessing,” he said.
In explaining findings of fact on the record, a board member said the requested sign would not be contrary to neighborhood appearance because it is small and affixed to the building, and that the business will not attract foot traffic. The member also noted a similar wall sign would be allowed in an RG zone and framed the variance as necessary to avoid imposing a state requirement on the owner without an available office elsewhere.
The board corrected the application address on the record: the applicant had listed 141 Valley Street; the board amended the action to show 144 Valley Street and said a notice of action with the correct address would be issued. The board also noted the property owner intends to bring the building’s fire-protection systems up to code if future use changes.
No members of the public spoke in opposition. The board said the approval will be documented in a notice of action with conditions and the corrected address.
